Legislature asked to OK 3 casinos in South Fla.

GARY FINEOUT

Wednesday

Oct 26, 2011 at 10:41 PM

TALLAHASSEE — South Florida could get three mega-casinos if Florida state lawmakers approve a sweeping gambling bill.

Two Republicans filed a long-expected measure Wednesday that would bring casinos to Broward and Miami-Dade counties and will likely also trigger a heated lobbying and political battle early next year at the state Capitol.

Florida already allows a wide array of gambling, including horse and dog tracks and casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

But the new proposal would set the stage for large resort casinos intended to attract visitors from out of state and other countries and draw in large trade shows and conventions. Licenses would only be given to companies that pledge to spend at least $2 billion on each facility.

Backers of the legislation argue they are creating a “strategic direction” for gambling in Florida, which now ranges from a state-authorized lottery to hundreds of storefront Internet cafes that offer sweepstakes games and have been shut down in some counties.

“This is not about bringing casinos to Florida, because they are already here,” said Sen. Ellyn Bodganoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, one of the sponsors of the legislation. “The vast majority of gaming we have preys on the lowest common denominator ... It only takes dollars and removes them from local restaurants and local retailers. If we are going to be the fourth largest gaming state in the nation, it needs to be the kind of gaming that brings in tourists.”

A push last spring for similar legislation didn’t go very far. Still the effort has been revived in the wake of favorable court rulings and a decision by Malaysia-based Genting Group to buy the Miami Herald building in downtown Miami. Genting wants to put a massive mixed-use development that includes a casino on the bayside property.

But there’s no guarantee that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will pass the bill.

High-powered business groups have already voiced opposition amid fears that the large casinos could detract from Florida’s other tourism magnets, including Walt Disney World in Central Florida. A coalition opposed to the proposal called No Casinos has already begun speaking out against the proposal.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos has promised an up-or-down vote on the bill, but House Speaker Dean Cannon remains cool to the legislation. Gov. Rick Scott has remained relatively neutral, only saying he does not want to use gambling as a way to balance the state budget.

Cannon, R-Winter Park, repeated his position on Wednesday.

“At this point, my philosophy has not changed, I am opposed to any expansion of gaming in our state but I will look forward to reviewing the bill,” Cannon said.

In an effort to win over House Republicans there has been talk about putting provisions in the casino bill that would highly regulate or even outlaw Internet cafes. The measure as it now stands could also take away business from the state’s existing dog and horse tracks and create a “net reduction” in gambling in the state even with the new mega-casinos.

No Casinos President John Sowinski said lawmakers should ban Internet cafes, but he said tying it together with the fate of casinos would be “cynical and self-serving to the casino gambling industry.”

Cannon added that he was “skeptical about the possibility of a policy package that achieves that goal of passing both houses.”

Part of the reason is that Florida’s existing dog and horse tracks have enjoyed years of good will and clout in the Legislature.

Eight facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties now operate race tracks and slot machines after voters in those counties approved referendums allowing slots. Tracks in other parts of the state hope that they too will one day get to install slot machines.

Dan Adkins, chief operating officer of the Mardi Gras track and casino in Hallandale Beach, said the proposal filed Wednesday would put existing South Florida horse and dog tracks out of business.

He pointed out the proposed legislation offers the mega-casinos a much lower tax rate and other advantages, like being able to offer types of casino games such as craps, roulette and blackjack that aren’t available at the South Florida tracks.

“How can you compete with that?” Adkins asked.

Adkins said lawmakers should slow down and let an outside group review and study the impact of such massive changes to Florida’s gaming industry.

The bill, as filed, would not only bring casinos but would upend the way the state regulates gambling. The legislation calls for creating a new state agency to oversee gambling and a new statewide gaming commission. Members of the seven-member commission would be paid $125,000 a year while the chairman would be paid $135,000.

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